u/cemeterypoems

I had my c-section on June 15. This is our first child, and the c-section was not planned at all. I have since had some weird health issues on top of recovering from the surgery.

The first week of recovery my husband was pretty supportive and helpful. The second week he had to go to work and I stayed home with our son with the help of my in-laws for a few hours a day. This week it was just me and my son, and I’ve been managing decently well, but I’m still very tired and sore.

My husband has been making me feel guilty for not being able to help out the way I used to be able to work around the house. Walking up and down the stairs is hard, let alone carrying laundry. I also haven’t done laundry yet, since I feel like it would hurt to try to bend over to reach clothes at the bottom of our washer/dryer, but I’ve been trying to push myself to bend over for stuff so I don’t have to ask him for anything because he’s been making off hand comments about it.

Anytime I’ve asked for help with anything now he huffs and sighs and says things like, “Sure, I can do everything here,” and I feel really bad, because I want to be doing more, but I’m also scared I’ll tear my stitches.

I try to be helpful by not waking him up when he’s sleeping for work and being the only one who cares for our son during the night time, and I’ve been doing this on the weekends when he’s off too. I’m exhausted, but I’m trying to be helpful, but maybe it’s not enough?

I feel like every time I try to push myself past my comfort zone, I end up feeling more sore the next day.

Are there ways I can be helpful without hurting myself?

Edit: thank you to everyone for their input, I’ll try to talk to him. I’ve tried to talk to him about it before, but he claims he isn’t trying to make me feel bad, but he does. I also want to clarify he does do all of the house chores and cooking at the moment, he just makes me feel kind of bad about it. I just wish I could get some sleep but he isn’t ready to watch our son until 6pm and he goes to bed between 8-8:30pm. I just wish I could get some rest and ask him for help without feeling like a bad wife.

I noticed today when I was showering that when I press down on my belly button it sends a shooting pain down the right side of my stomach towards my urethra. Is this normal? Messaged my OB about it, but won’t hear back until Monday.

27F, 5'7, 163lbs, non-smoker, sedentary, 10 days post c-section/postpartum.

Went to the ER the other night after having my NT-ProBNP levels come back at 164. My albumin was also a 3, globulin a 4.5, and group A/G 0.7. I originally had this tested because ever since my c-section on 06/15/26 I have been dealing with these sort of pressure like feelings in my chest/throat/beneath my sternum and feeling like my breathing when falling asleep/lying down has been very slow and shallow. My resting heart rate when lying/sitting had been dipping into the low 50s and 40s. Prior to pregnancy it was in the 70s/80s. I also have been having mild (barely a 1/10) pain in the upper left side of my back, breast and both sides of my neck/jaw pain, hot/cold flashes, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite and mild headaches.

I have had 2 ECGs done since my symptoms began, one being at the ER. At the ER last night they tested my troponin levels, magnesium and did a CT with and without contrast of my chest. Everything came back normal…

Could the slightly elevated NT-ProBNP and lower HR just be a normal postpartum thing or should I be looking for more tests? The doctors don’t seem concerned at all, but I hear about women with similar symptoms developing Peripartum Cardiomyopathy, so I’m nervous.

27F, 5'7, 163lbs, non-smoker, sedentary 10 days post c-section/postpartum.

Went to the ER the other night after having my NT-ProBNP levels come back at 164. My albumin was also a 3, globulin a 4.5, and group A/G 0.7. I originally had this tested because ever since my c-section on 06/15/26 I have been dealing with these sort of pressure like feelings in my chest/throat/beneath my sternum and feeling like my breathing when falling asleep/lying down has been very slow and shallow. My resting heart rate when lying/sitting had been dipping into the low 50s and 40s. Prior to pregnancy it was in the 70s/80s. I also have been having mild (barely a 1/10) pain in the upper left side of my back, breast and both sides of my neck/jaw pain, hot/cold flashes, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite and mild headaches.

I have had 2 ECGs done since my symptoms began, one being at the ER. At the ER last night they tested my troponin levels, magnesium and did a CT with and without contrast of my chest. Everything came back normal…

Could the slightly elevated NT-ProBNP and lower HR just be a normal postpartum thing or should I be looking for more tests? The doctors don’t seem concerned at all, but I hear about women with similar symptoms developing Peripartum Cardiomyopathy, so I’m nervous.

27, F, 5'7. 163lbs, non-smoker, taking vitamin d and ibuprofen and acetaminophen (to help with post c-section pain.) I am concerned about my heart. Dealing with symptoms since my c-section 06/15/26.

I had 4 failed epidurals prior to my c-section.

Went to the ER last night after having my NT-ProBNP levels come back at 164. My albumin was also a 3 and group A/G 0.7. I originally had this tested because ever since my c-section on 06/15/26 I have been dealing with heavy feelings in my chest/throat/beneath my sternum and feeling like my breathing when falling asleep/lying down has been very slow and shallow. My resting heart rate when lying/sitting had been dipping into the low 50s and 40s. Prior to pregnancy it was in the 70s/80s. I also have been having mild (barely a 1/10) pain in the upper left side of my back, breast and both sides of my neck/jaw pain, hot/cold flashes, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite and mild headaches.

I have had 2 ECGs done since my symptoms began, one being at the ER. At the ER last night they tested my troponin levels, magnesium and did a CT with and without contrast of my chest. Everything came back normal…

Could the slightly elevated NT-ProBNP and lower HR just be a normal postpartum thing or should I be looking for more tests? The doctors don’t seem concerned at all.

27,F, 5'7, 163lbs, inactive lifestyle prior/during pregnancy.

I had my son via unplanned c-section on June 15. Ever since I have been feeling anxious. I’ve had a heavy feeling in my chest, in my throat and beneath my sternum. It’s hard to say if I’ve had shortness of breath or not, but sometimes my breathing feels a little weighed, but I can still breathe in full breaths.

I noticed whenever I’d sit to nurse my son/sitting in general, and especially when I’d lay down flat on my back (when the chest pressure felt the worst, but not unbearable, just noticeable and anxiety inducing) my heart rate would dip into the low 50's-40's.

I already had an EKG done that came back normal, but today I got a blood test result revealing my NT-proBNP was 164! Of course with the other symptoms I’ve been having, this freaked me out, and my nurse called me and suggested I visit the ER since I don’t have a cardiologist as a provider.

Tonight at the ER they tested my magnesium, troponin levels, and did a CT with contrast on me. Everything came back normal. No blood clots, normal sized heart, clear lungs, no pleurisy… all I have to do is follow up with my primary doctor this week.

Could this be normal postpartum? Otherwise I’m unsure of what’s going on with my body.

Not looking for medical advice, just curious if anyone has had any similar experiences!

I had my son via unplanned c-section on June 15. Ever since I have been feeling anxious. I’ve had a heavy feeling in my chest, in my throat and beneath my sternum. It’s hard to say if I’ve had shortness of breath or not, but sometimes my breathing feels a little weighed, but I can still breathe in full breaths.

I noticed whenever I’d sit to nurse my son/sitting in general, and especially when I’d lay down flat on my back (when the chest pressure felt the worst, but not unbearable, just noticeable and anxiety inducing) my heart rate would dip into the low 50's-40's.

I already had an EKG done that came back normal, but today I got a blood test result revealing my NT-proBNP was 164! Of course with the other symptoms I’ve been having, this freaked me out, and my nurse called me and suggested I visit the ER since I don’t have a cardiologist as a provider.

Tonight at the ER they tested my magnesium, troponin levels, and did a CT with contrast on me. Everything came back normal. No blood clots, normal sized heart, clear lungs, no pleurisy. A HUGE relief, honestly… all I have to do is follow up with my primary doctor this week.

So, my question is, has anyone else gone through something similar with their health postpartum? Would love to hear from others who have dealt with a similar experience!

I gave had my son June 15… After constantly complaining to my dentist week about my heart rate dropping to the 40s while lying down and being in the 50s while sitting, she ordered me the BBP blood test. My albumin and a/g ratio were also slightly low.

Oddly enough, today my resting heart rate was high (90s/100s) and my BP at the dr today was also slightly elevated… Since I’ve gotten home I also had a brief minute where I had minor burning in my left arm. 😅

Has anyone else experienced anything similar? Waiting to hear back from the doctors and honestly terrified.

My symptom up until this point have been:

High anxiety
Low heart rate when lying/sitting (40s/50s)
Minor headaches
Minor tingling in feet/hands
Cold/hot flashes
Full/heavy feeling in chest/beneath my sternum (mostly while sitting/laying flat on my back
Loss of appetite
Teeth/jaw pain

I’m trying so hard not to break down and spiral. My husband and dr kept telling me I shouldn’t worry about my low heart rate and should just take my Fitbit off and now my husband is apologizing for thinking it was nothing and is telling me not to worry and wait to see what the doctor says.

Anyone have anything similar happen to them? I’m terrified I’m going to die and leave my baby and husband behind.

6 days pp. I started to sleep on my side last night because I cannot fall asleep on my back, and did the same for a nap today. However, today I’ve noticed more lochia be released than usual. When I fed my son today I felt two small gushes come out and now I’m wondering if it’s a bad idea to be sleeping on my sides?

Prior to pregnancy I had a higher resting heart rate between the 70s and 80s. After I had my baby Monday my resting heart rate has been in the 50s while sitting/laying down and dips into the 40s the longer I lay down. It makes me too scared to even sleep, despite getting an ECG done and being told my heart was normal. I’ve never been very active, so it’s not like I’m having a low heart rate because I’m an athlete.

Anyone else not very active and have similar findings on their Fitbit? Kinda freaked out and hoping for reassurance. Are these things accurate? 🥲

I had my unplanned c-section on Monday, so it’s been less than a week.

Anyone else have/had burning pain that lingers near their incision when trying to use core muscles at all? I’m also feeling burning in my back near the right side and towards my spine. I also had 4 failed epidurals leading up to my c-section so I’m not sure if that’s related. The back pain was triggered when I bent over to put my son in his bassinet.

Just kind of worried I might of over did it? The pain is a little intense when I first try to get up it bend over, and then dulls down to a lingering burn. (For my incision) and has been a consistent burn for my back/right hip. It almost feels like when they put the lidocaine shot into my back.

My stitches look fine and I was doing better mobility wise yesterday, but now I’m worried I’ve torn them open and just don’t realize.

Anyone else's resting heart rate dip after birth? Mine is in the 60s and dipping into the upper 50s and it’s making me too freaked out to sleep! Right now as I’m nursing my son it’s 58.😔 I also feel like my heart skips beats and it makes me so anxious I feel like I can’t breathe, my OB says it’s normal but I’m so scared if I fall asleep it will dip lower I won’t wake up. I have hardly slept since Friday June 12 and basically have had 0 sleep since my unplanned c-section on Monday.

I reached out to my OB again, hoping to hear back soon, but would love to hear from anyone who went through anything similar. So tired, but so scared to go to bed. 😭 everything after birth has been giving me anxiety, especially this.

Side note, anyone who attempted to get an epidural before needing a c-section (in my case 4 failed ones) experience burning pain when attempting to bend over?

Mine is in the 60s and dipping into the upper 50s and it’s making me too freaked out to sleep! Right now as I’m nursing my son it’s 58.😔 I also feel like my heart skips beats and it makes me so anxious I feel like I can’t breathe, my OB says it’s normal but I’m so scared if I fall asleep it will dip lower I won’t wake up. I have hardly slept since Friday June 12 and basically have had 0 sleep since my unplanned c-section on Monday.

I reached out to my OB again, hoping to hear back soon, but would love to hear from anyone who went through anything similar. So tired, but so scared to go to bed. 😭 everything after birth has been giving me anxiety, especially this.

Side note, anyone who attempted to get an epidural before needing a c-section (in my case 4 failed ones) experience burning pain when attempting to bend over?

A bit of a vent post…

Any tips on how to stand up and get around without being in pain all of the time? My provider is aware of all of my symptoms.

I had an unplanned c-section on Monday June 15 after 3 failed epidurals and 1 epidural that only dulled down the pain a little bit. I ended up having to have a c-section after 15 hours of labor and not progressing as fast as they wanted me to and the baby's heart rate started decreasing with contractions and he wasn’t happy with any position I tried to labor in.

I was thankfully able to get numbed for my c-section, but the recovery has been so hard. I am grateful my son and I are okay, but it’s been so hard being at home and feeling borderline useless when it comes to caring for my son. I can barely get up from the couch, which is where my husband and I have been sleeping since we’ve gotten home because our bed is so tall. I haven’t been able to change a single diaper or get up to help him when he cries and I feel so bad. It takes me so long to be able to get up from the couch, because of the pain I have been in. It’s not severe, but it makes me so nervous that I’m going to accidentally tear open my stitches or hurt myself.

My whole stomach has this awkward burning sensation and it feels like it’s lightly trying to contract and is loose at the same time. The incision site is the worst part and part and just feels tender and like there’s a deep burning inside of me with numb spots sprinkled around. It’s hard to describe. My back is also killing me because of how many times it’s been poked at.

I’m so grateful for how helpful my husband has been, but I’m so nervous that I’ll still be struggling mobility wise when he goes back to work next week. The only thing I’ve been able to do is breastfeed and hold my son. I just wish this wasn’t how the birth of my first and maybe only baby went. I hate not being able to help him or our son out and I hate how much pain I’ve been in. I don’t think I’ve gotten more than 45 minutes of sleep at a time since I initially started getting my first contractions last Thursday. I know everyone experiences sleep deprivation with a newborn, but I’m just exhausted mentally and physically. I pray that everyone going through anything similar gets well soon.

TLDR: Feeling very uncomfortable, crampy, burning and tired. Mentally and physically exhausted. Hoping there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I’m currently at the hospital, 3cm, waters broken and had my epidural fail 3 times in a row despite 2 different anesthesiologists attempting it.

I was wondering if anyone has gone through this before and had to labor naturally without expecting to and if anyone had any tips on getting through it. Even though I’m only 3cm, it feels quite painful. I also know there’s alternative pain medication, and if anyone had any experience with those I’d love to listen.

I’m so nervous, I never expected to do this without an epidural. They did offer to attempt it a 4th time, but I don’t know.

I had a cervical check done on Thursday (June 11) at 39 + 5 around noon and found out I was 0cm dilated. I felt little/no discomfort during the check, but around 2am (June 12) I started feeling light period like cramps that started to come in waves of intensity. This went on and off inconsistently. Around noon I went to the bathroom and had a thick jelly like blob come out with blood on it, which I believe could’ve been my mucus plug, and I had some smaller amounts coming out throughout the day. I informed my OB and she said to monitor at home until I have consistent contractions.

I have had on and off cramps since then, but throughout the night tonight/today I have noted they are getting a little more intense and ranging from every 10-20 minutes, so still not very consistent, but closer than they were earlier. The pain is tolerable but feels like a strong period cramp that lasts about a minute and wraps around my back. I’ve had 2 pap smears done in the past and it never caused me to cramp like this, or for this long.

It’s my due date today, and I’m a first time mom. I was curious if anyone had any similar experiences and if it lead to active labor or if it turned out to be just cramping from their cervical check? Thank you in advance for any info you can share/stories you can tell.